Intercept to Present at the Virtual Baird 2021 Global Healthcare Conference

NEW YORK, Sept. 01, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Intercept Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq:ICPT), a biopharmaceutical company focused on the development and commercialization of novel therapeutics to treat progressive non-viral liver diseases, today announced that Jerry Durso, President and Chief Executive Officer of Intercept, M. Michelle Berrey, M.D., M.P.H., President of Research & Development and Chief Medical Officer of Intercept, and Andrew Saik, Chief Financial Officer of Intercept, will present at the virtual Baird 2021 Global Healthcare Conference on Tuesday, September 14, 2021 at 10:15 a.m. ET.

A live webcast of the event will be available on the investor page of Intercept’s website at http://ir.interceptpharma.com. An audio archive of the webcast will also be available on Intercept’s website for approximately two weeks.


About Intercept

Intercept is a biopharmaceutical company focused on the development and commercialization of novel therapeutics to treat progressive non-viral liver diseases, including primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Founded in 2002 in New York, Intercept has operations in the United States, Europe and Canada. For more information, please visit www.interceptpharma.com or connect with the company on Twitter and LinkedIn.

CONTACT

For more information about Intercept, please contact:

Investor inquiries: [email protected] 

Media inquiries: [email protected] 



Ayala Pharmaceuticals to Present Clinical Data from Ongoing Phase 2 ACCURACY Trial and New Preclinical Results from Combination Study of AL101 at the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) Virtual Congress 2021

REHOVOT, Israel and WILMINGTON, Del., Sept. 01, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Ayala Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ: AYLA), a clinical-stage oncology company focused on developing and commercializing small molecule therapeutics for patients suffering from rare and aggressive cancers, today announced upcoming ePoster presentations at the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) Virtual Congress 2021, being held September 16-September 21, 2021. Ayala will present preliminary data from the 6mg cohort of the ongoing Phase 2 ACCURACY clinical trial of AL101 for the treatment of recurrent/metastatic (R/M) adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC) harbouring Notch-activating mutations in addition to preclinical results from Ayala’s new study of AL101 in combination with other drugs for dual targeting of Notch dysregulated tumors.

ePoster details:

Title: ACCURACY: a phase 2 trial of AL101, a selective gamma secretase inhibitor, in subjects with recurrent/metastatic (R/M) adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC) harboring NOTCH-activating mutations (NOTCHmut): results of 6-mg cohort
Presentation Number: 904P
Presenter: Alan L. Ho, M.D., Ph.D., Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center

Title: The gamma secretase inhibitor AL101 combined with other drugs for dual targeting of Notch dysregulated tumor
Presentation Number: 1789P
Presenter: Renata Ferrarotto, M.D., MD Anderson Cancer Center

The two ePosters will be available to registrants of the ESMO Virtual Congress 2021 starting at 8:30 AM CEST (2:30 AM ET) on Thursday, September 16, 2021.

About AL101

AL101 is an investigational small molecule Gamma Secretase Inhibitor (GSI) that is designed to potently and selectively inhibit Notch 1, 2, 3 and 4, and is currently being evaluated in two Phase 2 clinical studies, ACCURACY and TENACITY, in patients with adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC) and in patients with triple negative breast cancer (TNBC), respectively. AL101 is designed to inhibit the expression of Notch gene targets by blocking the final cleavage step by the gamma secretase required for Notch activation. Ayala obtained an exclusive, worldwide license to develop and commercialize AL101 from Bristol-Myers Squibb Company in November 2017. AL101 was granted U.S. FDA Fast Track Designation and Orphan Drug Designation for the treatment of ACC.

About Ayala Pharmaceuticals

Ayala Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is a clinical-stage oncology company focused on developing and commercializing small molecule therapeutics for patients suffering from rare and aggressive cancers, primarily in genetically defined patient populations. Ayala’s approach is focused on predicating, identifying and addressing tumorigenic drivers of cancer through a combination of its bioinformatics platform and next-generation sequencing to deliver targeted therapies to underserved patient populations. The company has two product candidates under development, AL101 and AL102, targeting the aberrant activation of the Notch pathway with gamma secretase inhibitors to treat a variety of tumors including Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma, Triple Negative Breast Cancer (TNBC), T-cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (T-ALL), Desmoid Tumors and Multiple Myeloma (MM) (in collaboration with Novartis). AL101, has received Fast Track Designation and Orphan Drug Designation from the U.S. FDA and is currently in a Phase 2 clinical trial for patients with ACC (ACCURACY) bearing Notch activating mutations and in a Phase 2 clinical trial for patients with TNBC (TENACITY) bearing Notch activating mutations and other gene rearrangements. AL102 is currently in a Pivotal Phase 2/3 clinical trials for patients with desmoid tumors (RINGSIDE) and is being evaluated in a Phase 1 clinical trial in combination with Novartis’ BMCA targeting agent, WVT078, in Patients with relapsed/refractory Multiple Myeloma. For more information, visit www.ayalapharma.com.

Investors:

Julie Seidel
Stern Investor Relations, Inc.
+1-212-362-1200
[email protected]

Ayala Pharmaceuticals:

+1-857-444-0553
[email protected]



Mizuho Americas Named to Exelon 2021 Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Honor Roll for the Fourth Time

NEW YORK, Sept. 01, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Mizuho Americas today announced it has been named to the Exelon 2021 Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Finance Honor Roll for the fourth time. Mizuho Americas received high scores across six categories assessing DEI metrics exemplifying Exelon’s core value of diversity within their partner firms and Exelon coverage teams.

“We are honored to be recognized by Exelon for a fourth year,” said Ronald Taylor, Managing Director and Head of Diversity and Inclusion. “It is welcome recognition of our continuing efforts to attract and retain a team that promotes a supportive, diverse culture that delivers distinctive client service.”

“We appreciate Exelon as a valued partner and applaud their efforts to further a society that benefits from the inclusion of diverse viewpoints,” said Shuji Matsuura, Chairman & CEO, Mizuho Americas.

The Exelon Finance DEI Partnership Program evaluates its financial services business partners in an effort to recognize and increase business dealings with its banks, professional services firms, and insurance service providers that excel in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.

About Mizuho Americas

Mizuho Americas is a leading provider of a broad range of financial services, including corporate and investment banking, lending, custody, treasury services, research and capital markets solutions. With professionals across the U.S., Canada, and Latin and South America, Mizuho Americas supports corporate clients, institutional investors, and public sector organizations by connecting local markets to a vast global network. To learn more about Mizuho Americas’ business, values, and ethical commitments, and the entities it comprises, visit to www.mizuhogroup.com/americas.​

Mizuho Americas is an integral part of the Japan-based Mizuho Financial Group, Inc. (NYSE: MFG). Mizuho Financial Group is one of the largest financial institutions in the world, offering comprehensive financial and strategic services through its subsidiaries. The group has approximately 900 offices and 60,000 employees worldwide in nearly 40 countries throughout the Americas, EMEA, and Asia. As of December 31, 2020, its total assets were $2.1 trillion. Learn more about Mizuho Financial Group at www.mizuhogroup.com​.​​

For inquiries, please contact:

Jim Gorman
Director, Media Relations, Mizuho Americas
+1-212-282-3867
[email protected]

Laura London
Vice President, Media Relations, Mizuho Americas
+1-212-282-4446
[email protected]



Nemaura Medical to Present at the H.C. Wainwright 23rd Annual Global Investment Virtual Conference

Loughborough, England, Sept. 01, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Nemaura Medical, Inc. (NASDAQ: NMRD), a medical technology company focused on developing and commercializing non-invasive wearable diagnostic devices and supporting personalized lifestyle coaching programs, announces today that Chief Executive Officer Faz Chowdhury, Ph.D. will present at the H.C. Wainwright 23rd Annual Global Investment Conference, which is being held virtually from September 13 – 15, 2021.

Dr. Chowdhury will deliver his corporate presentation, which will become available beginning on September 13 at 7:00 AM ET.

Investors can register here: www.hcwevents.com.

Mr. Chowdhury will also be available for one-on-one meetings throughout the conference.

About Nemaura Medical, Inc.

Nemaura Medical Inc. is a medical technology company developing and commercializing non-invasive wearable diagnostic devices. The company is currently commercializing sugarBEAT® and proBEAT. sugarBEAT®, a CE mark approved Class IIb medical device, is a non-invasive and flexible continuous glucose monitor (CGM) providing actionable insights derived from real time glucose measurements and daily glucose trend data, which may help people with diabetes and pre-diabetes to better manage, reverse, and prevent the onset of diabetes. Nemaura has submitted a PMA (Premarket Approval Application) for sugarBEAT® to the U.S. FDA. proBEAT combines non-invasive glucose data processed using artificial intelligence and a digital healthcare subscription service and has been launched in the U.S. as a general wellness product as part of its BEAT®diabetes program.

The Company sits at the intersection of the global Type 2 diabetes market that is expected to reach nearly $59 billion by 2025, the $50+ billion pre-diabetic market, and the wearable health-tech sector for weight loss and wellness applications that is estimated to reach $60 billion by 2023.

For more information, please visit www.NemauraMedical.com.

Contact:

Jules Abraham
CORE IR
917-885-7378
[email protected]



NuCana to Participate in Three Upcoming Investor Conferences

EDINBURGH, United Kingdom, Sept. 01, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — NuCana plc (NASDAQ: NCNA) announced today that Hugh Griffith, Chief Executive Officer, and Don Munoz, Chief Financial Officer, will participate in three upcoming virtual investor conferences.

Event: Citi’s 16th Annual BioPharma Virtual Conference
Dates: September 8-10, 2021

Event: H.C. Wainwright 23rd Annual Global Investment Conference
Dates: September 13-15, 2021

Event: Oppenheimer’s Virtual Fall Healthcare Life Sciences & MedTech Summit
Presentation Date: Wednesday, September 22, 2021
Presentation Time: 9:05 AM ET

A pre-recorded webcast of the presentation at the H.C. Wainwright 23rd Annual Global Investment Conference will be made available on the Company’s website starting on Monday, September 13, 2021, at 7:00 AM ET. The presentation at the Oppenheimer Virtual Fall Healthcare Life Sciences & MedTech Summit will be webcast live. Both presentations will be available for replay under “Events & Presentations” in the Investors section of the Company’s website at www.nucana.com.

About NuCana

NuCana is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on significantly improving treatment outcomes for patients with cancer by applying our ProTide technology to transform some of the most widely prescribed chemotherapy agents, nucleoside analogs, into more effective and safer medicines. While these conventional agents remain part of the standard of care for the treatment of many solid and hematological tumors, their efficacy is limited by cancer cell resistance mechanisms and they are often poorly tolerated. Utilizing our proprietary technology, we are developing new medicines, ProTides, designed to overcome key cancer resistance mechanisms and generate much higher concentrations of anti-cancer metabolites in cancer cells. NuCana’s robust pipeline includes three ProTides in clinical development. Acelarin and NUC-3373, are new chemical entities derived from the nucleoside analogs gemcitabine and 5-fluorouracil, respectively, two widely used chemotherapy agents. Acelarin is in a Phase III study for patients with advanced biliary tract cancer. NUC-3373 is in a Phase I study for the potential treatment of a wide range of patients with advanced solid tumors and a Phase Ib study for patients with metastatic colorectal cancer. Our third ProTide, NUC-7738, is a transformation of a novel nucleoside analog (3’-deoxyadenosine) and is in a Phase I study for patients with advanced solid tumors.


Forward-Looking Statements

This press release may contain “forward-looking” statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 that are based on the beliefs and assumptions and on information currently available to management of NuCana plc (the “Company”). All statements other than statements of historical fact contained in this press release are forward-looking statements, including statements concerning the Company’s planned and ongoing clinical studies for the Company’s product candidates and the potential advantages of those product candidates, including Acelarin, NUC-3373 and NUC-7738; the initiation, enrollment, timing, progress, release of data from and results of those planned and ongoing clinical studies; the Company’s goals with respect to the development, regulatory pathway and potential use, if approved, of each of its product candidates; and the utility of prior non-clinical and clinical data in determining future clinical results. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by terminology such as “may,” “will,” “should,” “expects,” “plans,” “anticipates,” “believes,” “estimates,” “predicts,” “potential” or “continue” or the negative of these terms or other comparable terminology. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the Company’s actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, the risks and uncertainties set forth in the “Risk Factors” section of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2020 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) on March 4, 2021, and subsequent reports that the Company files with the SEC. Forward-looking statements represent the Company’s beliefs and assumptions only as of the date of this press release. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, it cannot guarantee future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements. Except as required by law, the Company assumes no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statements for any reason after the date of this press release to conform any of the forward-looking statements to actual results or to changes in its expectations.

For more information, please contact:

NuCana plc
Hugh S. Griffith
Chief Executive Officer
+44 131 357 1111
[email protected]

Westwicke, an ICR Company
Chris Brinzey
+1 339-970-2843
[email protected]

RooneyPartners
Marion Janic
+1 212-223-4017
[email protected]



scPharmaceuticals to Present at the Virtual H.C. Wainwright 23rd Annual Global Investment Conference

BURLINGTON, Mass., Sept. 01, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — scPharmaceuticals Inc. (Nasdaq: SCPH), a pharmaceutical company focused on developing and commercializing products that have the potential to optimize the delivery of infused therapies, advance patient care, and reduce healthcare costs, today announced that John Tucker, president & chief executive officer, is scheduled to present at the H.C. Wainwright 23rd Annual Global Investment Conference, being held virtually September 13-15, 2021.

Event:

H.C. Wainwright 23

rd

Annual Global Investment Conference

Monday, September 13 – Wednesday, September 15
A webcast of Mr. Tucker’s presentation will be available on-demand as of 7am EDT, Monday, September 13. It can be accessed under “News & Events” in the Investor Relations section of the Company’s website, www.scpharmaceuticals.com.

About scPharmaceuticals

scPharmaceuticals is a pharmaceutical company focused on developing and commercializing products that are designed to reduce healthcare costs and improve health outcomes. The Company develops, internally and through strategic partnerships, innovative products and solutions that aim to expand and advance the outpatient care of select acute conditions. The Company’s lead programs focus on the subcutaneous, self-administration of IV-strength treatments in heart failure and infectious disease. scPharmaceuticals is headquartered in Burlington, MA. For more information, please visit www.scPharmaceuticals.com.

Katherine Taudvin
scPharmaceuticals Inc., 781-301-6706
[email protected]

Investors:
Hans Vitzthum
LifeSci Advisors, 617-430-7578
[email protected]



Sysco Congratulates Board Member, Sheila G. Talton, Recognized as a 2021 Most Influential Black Corporate Director by Savoy Magazine

HOUSTON, Sept. 01, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Sysco Corporation (NYSE: SYY), the leading global foodservice distribution company, announced today that Sheila G. Talton, has been recognized as one of the 2021 Most Influential Black Corporate Directors by Savoy magazine, a national publication that showcases and drives positive dialogue about Black culture.

As the chair of Sysco’s Technology committee, Ms. Talton has helped enhance Sysco’s ability to serve its customers through modern technology tools, data and analytics.

“Sysco congratulates Sheila on receiving this distinguished honor,” said Kevin Hourican, Sysco’s president and chief executive officer. “Sheila is a progressive thinker who consistently drives our company to advance our capabilities and we are grateful for the leadership, positive voice, and unique business perspective that she brings to our board.”

Ms. Talton currently serves as the president and chief executive officer of Gray Matter Analytics, a firm focused on data analytics consulting services in the healthcare industry. She has been a Congressional appointee to the U.S. White House Women’s Business Council. She also has been recognized as one of the “Top 10 Women in Technology” by Enterprising Women and as “Entrepreneur of the Year” by the National Federation of Black Women Business Owners.

Ms. Talton also serves on the boards of several nonprofit organizations, including Chicago’s Northwest Hospital Foundation, the Chicago Shakespeare Theater and the Chicago Urban League.


About Sysco


Sysco is the global leader in selling, marketing and distributing food products to restaurants, healthcare and educational facilities, lodging establishments and other customers who prepare meals away from home. Its family of products also includes equipment and supplies for the foodservice and hospitality industries. With more than 58,000 associates, the company operates 343 distribution facilities worldwide and serves more than 650,000 customer locations. For fiscal 2021 that ended July 3, 2021, the company generated sales of more than $51 billion. Information about our CSR program, including Sysco’s 2020 Corporate Social Responsibility Report, can be found at www.sysco.com/csr2020report.

For more information, visit www.sysco.com or connect with Sysco on Facebook at www.facebook.com/SyscoFoods or Twitter at https://twitter.com/Sysco. For important news and information regarding Sysco, visit the Investor Relations section of the company’s Internet home page at www.investors.sysco.com which Sysco plans to use as a primary channel for publishing key information to its investors, some of which may contain material and previously non-public information. In addition, investors should continue to review our news releases and filings with the SEC. It is possible that the information we disclose through any of these channels of distribution could be deemed to be material information. 

Media Contact:

Shannon Mutschler
Senior Director, External Communications
[email protected]



Generac Accelerates Clean Energy Developments with Acquisition of Apricity Code Corporation

WAUKESHA, Wis., Sept. 01, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Generac Holdings Inc. (NYSE: GNRC) (“Generac”), a leading global designer and manufacturer of energy technology solutions and other power products, today announced the acquisition of Apricity Code Corporation, an advanced engineering and product design company located in Bend, Oregon.

Apricity’s advanced team of engineers is experienced in designing and prototyping energy-related products to increase reliability, add functionality, and improve performance. The company has also developed a smart water heater disconnect switch that is used as a grid edge device by utilities in demand response and other energy conservation programs.

“Adding Apricity to the Generac team will accelerate our efforts to provide a broader energy technology portfolio and increase our speed to market for both our Clean Energy and Grid Services products and solutions,” commented Aaron Jagdfeld, President and Chief Executive Officer of Generac. “We are very pleased to have this talented group of engineers join our team.”

“We are excited for the opportunity to join Generac on its Clean Energy vision,” commented Gabe Ayers, founder of Apricity. “With our passion for the energy industry, we look forward to helping Generac bring products to market that create a positive impact on consumers and society as a whole.”

Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

About Generac (NYSE: GNRC)

Founded in 1959, Generac is a leading global designer and manufacturer of a wide range of energy technology solutions and other power products. As an industry leader serving residential, commercial, and industrial markets, Generac’s products and solutions are available globally through a broad network of independent dealers, distributors, retailers, e-commerce partners, wholesalers and equipment rental companies, as well as sold direct to certain end user customers. For more information about Generac and its products and services, visit Generac.com.

About Apricity

Founded in 2015, Apricity Code is an engineering and product design company skilled in designing and prototyping energy-related and consumer products for customers in order to increase reliability, add functionality, and improve performance. The team is experienced working with startups, small businesses and mass market customer bases and helps clients with their product entry and market expansion needs. Information on Apricity’s solutions and products can be found at www.apricitycode.com and www.apricityenergy.com.


Forward-looking Information

Certain statements contained in this news release, as well as other information provided from time to time by Generac Holdings Inc. or its employees, may contain forward looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward looking statements. Forward-looking statements give Generac’s current expectations and projections relating to the Company’s financial condition, results of operations, plans, objectives, future performance and business. You can identify forward-looking statements by the fact that they do not relate strictly to historical or current facts. These statements may include words such as “anticipate,” “estimate,” “expect,” “forecast,” “project,” “plan,” “intend,” “believe,” “confident,” “may,” “should,” “can have,” “likely,” “future,” “optimistic” and other words and terms of similar meaning in connection with any discussion of the timing or nature of future operating or financial performance or other events.

Any such forward looking statements are not guarantees of performance or results, and involve risks, uncertainties (some of which are beyond the Company’s control) and assumptions. Although Generac believes any forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, you should be aware that many factors could affect Generac’s actual financial results and cause them to differ materially from those anticipated in any forward-looking statements, including:

  • frequency and duration of power outages impacting demand for our products;
  • availability, cost and quality of raw materials and key components from our global supply chain and labor needed in producing our products;
  • the impact on our results of possible fluctuations in interest rates, foreign currency exchange rates, commodities, product mix and regulatory tariffs;
  • the possibility that the expected synergies, efficiencies and cost savings of our acquisitions will not be realized, or will not be realized within the expected time period;
  • the risk that our acquisitions will not be integrated successfully;
  • the duration and scope of the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic are uncertain and may or will continue to adversely affect our operations, supply chain, and distribution for certain of our products and services;
  • difficulties we may encounter as our business expands globally or into new markets;
  • our dependence on our distribution network;
  • our ability to invest in, develop or adapt to changing technologies and manufacturing techniques;
  • loss of our key management and employees;
  • increase in product and other liability claims or recalls;
  • failures or security breaches of our networks, information technology systems, or connected products; and
  • changes in environmental, health and safety, or product compliance laws and regulations affecting our products, operations, or customer demand.

Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, Generac’s actual results may vary in material respects from those projected in any forward-looking statements. In the current environment, some of the above factors have materialized and may or will continue to be impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, which may cause actual results to vary from these forward-looking statements. A detailed discussion of these and other factors that may affect future results is contained in Generac’s filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), particularly in the Risk Factors section of the 2020 Annual Report on Form 10-K and in its periodic reports on Form 10-Q. Stockholders, potential investors and other readers should consider these factors carefully in evaluating the forward-looking statements.

Any forward-looking statement made by Generac in this press release speaks only as of the date on which it is made. Generac undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise, except as may be required by law.

SOURCE: Generac Holdings Inc.

CONTACT:

Mike Harris
Vice President
Corporate Development & Investor Relations
(262) 506-6064
[email protected]



Vera Bradley Announces Second Quarter Fiscal Year 2022 Results

Consolidated net revenues totaled $147.0 million for the second quarter, an increase of 11.6% over the prior year

Company posted second quarter net income of $9.1 million, or $0.26 per diluted share; excluding certain items, non-GAAP net income totaled $9.5 million, or $0.28 per diluted share

Balance sheet remains strong, with cash, cash equivalents, and investments over $76 million, and no debt

Management updates annual guidance for fiscal year ending January 29, 2022

FORT WAYNE, Ind., Sept. 01, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Vera Bradley, Inc. (Nasdaq: VRA) today announced its financial results for the second quarter ended July 31, 2021.

In this release, Vera Bradley, Inc. or “the Company” refers to the entire enterprise and includes both the Vera Bradley and Pura Vida brands. “Vera Bradley” on a stand-alone basis refers only to the Vera Bradley brand.


Second Quarter Comments

Rob Wallstrom, Chief Executive Officer of Vera Bradley, Inc., noted, “We posted a consolidated year-over-year second quarter revenue increase of nearly 12%. On a comparable basis, Vera Bradley was essentially back to its pre-pandemic Fiscal 2020 second quarter revenue level, and Pura Vida was up nearly 7% over the second quarter of Fiscal 2020.

“Second quarter Vera Bradley brand revenues continued to improve as customers responded to product innovation, stores were fully operational, and sales of travel-related products rebounded, despite anniversarying exceptionally strong mask sales from the prior year.”

Wallstrom continued, “However, we experienced two major factors that impacted our second quarter results. First, the Apple iOS 14.5 update negatively affected Pura Vida revenues, primarily due to the impact it had on the effectiveness of Facebook and Instagram advertising. The Facebook and Instagram platforms have been our primary marketing vehicles to drive sales, and Pura Vida has maintained a market-leading position, consistently ranking as the number-one engaged brand in the jewelry category on Instagram. Our team is working diligently to quickly diversify a portion of our marketing resources to other platforms, and consequently, we began to see Pura Vida direct-to-consumer sales volume build momentum throughout the balance of the second quarter and into the beginning of the third. We expect Pura Vida revenues will continue to rebound in the second half of the year.

“Second, like much of the industry, at Vera Bradley, we continued to experience supply chain challenges and significantly increased freight and tariff expenses that put meaningful pressure on gross margin in the quarter. We expect these pressures to continue for the moderate term.

“We were once again able to diligently manage our SG&A expenses, and our balance sheet and cash flow remained strong.”


Looking Ahead

“With our strong first quarter performance, Fiscal 2022 is off to a solid start, with year-to-date earnings well ahead of last year and even ahead of where we were in Fiscal 2020, pre-pandemic,” Wallstrom added. “We realize we will continue to face certain headwinds and uncertainties for the balance of the year, but also know that both of our lifestyle brands have significant long-term growth opportunities ahead, well beyond their core product categories. We are on track and remain committed to our vision to be a purpose-driven, multi-lifestyle brand, high-growth company.

“As a reminder, for Fiscal 2022, the four key growth drivers for Vera Bradley, Inc. are:


  1. Driving our digital-first strategy
    , by evolving the digital distribution of our products and further refining and utilizing digital experiences to serve our customers. This will be supported by continuously refining our technology, developing business process and technology platforms to improve agility, data-based decision making, customer centricity, and speed-to-market.

  2. Enhancing our product innovation pipeline, collaborations,


    and category extensions
    to attract new customers and increase share of wallet with existing customers.

  3. Building our community
    , through marketing and by creating an impactful, positive brand movement that not only enhances lives but deepens our customers’ brand loyalty.

  4. Evolving our distribution channels
    , by focusing on future growth opportunities and addressing the drastically changing retail environment and the consumer marketplace.

“Our strong cash position, debt-free balance sheet, and ability to generate free cash flow will allow us to continue to invest in both our Vera Bradley and Pura Vida brands and seek out appropriate acquisitions of other comfortable, affordable, purpose-driven brands over time. We have a vision for the future of our Company and a clear path to achieve this vision. Our team is focused, our balance sheet is solid, our brands are strong, and we are positioned for long-term growth,” Wallstrom concluded.


Summary of Financial Performance for the Second Quarter

Consolidated net revenues totaled $147.0 million for the current year second quarter, an increase of 11.6% over $131.8 million in the prior year second quarter.

For the current year second quarter, Vera Bradley, Inc.’s consolidated net income totaled $9.1 million, or $0.26 per diluted share. These results included $0.4 million of net after tax charges related to intangible asset amortization. On a non-GAAP basis, Vera Bradley, Inc.’s consolidated second quarter net income totaled $9.5 million, or $0.28 per diluted share.

For the prior year second quarter, Vera Bradley, Inc.’s consolidated net income totaled $7.2 million, or $0.42 per diluted share. These results included $3.7 million of net after tax charges, comprised of $1.5 million of intangible asset amortization, $1.1 million of expenses related to the re-platforming of Vera Bradley’s information technology systems (“Project Novus”), as well as $1.1 million for a change in the income tax estimate related to the first quarter charges. In addition, the Company increased the Vera Bradley, Inc. income used in the numerator of the earnings per share calculation as a result of the change in the cumulative Accounting Standard Codification (“ASC”) 480 measurement adjustment associated with the redeemable noncontrolling interest. The increase in Vera Bradley, Inc.’s income totaled $6.8 million which resulted in a $0.20 benefit to diluted earnings per share for the prior year second quarter. On a non-GAAP basis, excluding these items, Vera Bradley, Inc.’s consolidated prior year second quarter net income totaled $10.9 million, or $0.32 per diluted share.


Summary of Financial Performance for the Six Months

Consolidated net revenues totaled $256.1 million for the current year six months ended July 31, 2021, compared to $201.1 million in the prior year six-month period ended August 1, 2020.

For the current year six months, Vera Bradley, Inc.’s consolidated net income totaled $6.9 million, or $0.20 per diluted share. These results included $0.9 million of net after tax charges related to intangible asset amortization. On a non-GAAP basis, Vera Bradley, Inc.’s consolidated net income totaled $7.8 million, or $0.23 per diluted share, for the six months.

For the prior year six months, Vera Bradley, Inc.’s consolidated net loss totaled ($8.1) million, or ($0.24) per diluted share. These results included $8.8 million of net after tax charges, comprised of $2.7 million of impairment charges, $2.7 million of intangible asset amortization, $2.1 million of Project Novus expenses, $0.9 million of charges related to the cancellation of certain purchase orders as a result of COVID-19, a $0.2 million adjustment to the Pura Vida earn-out liability, and $0.2 million in certain department store exist costs resulting from COVID-19. On a non-GAAP basis, excluding these charges, Vera Bradley, Inc.’s consolidated net income for the prior year six months totaled $0.7 million, or $0.02 per diluted share.


Non-GAAP Numbers

The current year non-GAAP second quarter and six-month income statement numbers referenced below exclude the previously outlined intangible asset amortization. The prior year non-GAAP second quarter and six-month income statement numbers referenced below exclude the previously outlined impairment charges, intangible asset amortization, Project Novus expenses, charges related to the cancellation of certain purchase orders resulting from COVID-19, an adjustment to the Pura Vida earn-out liability, and certain department store exit costs resulting from COVID-19.


Second Quarter Details

Current year second quarter Vera Bradley Direct segment revenues totaled $97.1 million, a 19.6% increase over $81.2 million in the prior year second quarter. Since the Company’s stores were temporarily closed for a portion of the prior year second quarter, a comparable store sales calculation is not pertinent. The Company permanently closed 10 full-line stores and opened six factory outlet stores in the last twelve months.

Vera Bradley Indirect segment revenues totaled $16.8 million, a 5.1% decrease from $17.7 million in the prior year second quarter, reflecting a reduction in orders primarily related to a lower volume of mask sales, partially offset by a rebound in specialty and key account orders in other product categories that were negatively impacted by COVID-19 in the prior year.

Pura Vida segment revenues totaled $33.1 million, a 0.8% increase over $32.8 million in the prior year.

Second quarter consolidated gross profit totaled $80.4 million, or 54.6% of net revenues, compared to $79.6 million, or 60.4% of net revenues, in the prior year. In the prior year, the Company expanded its year-over-year consolidated gross profit rate by approximately 300 basis points through sales of cotton masks, which was not replicated in the current year. The current year gross profit rate was negatively impacted by higher costs for inbound and outbound freight expense. In addition, the lower margin rate reflects higher tariffs from previously duty-free countries from which the Company sources products whose “GSP” (or generalized system of preferences) duty-free status expired at the beginning of the calendar year. As has happened several times in the past, it is expected that, by year end, Congress will retroactively reinstate the duty-status of the tariffs for these countries that have been assessed so far this year.

Second quarter consolidated SG&A expense totaled $68.7 million, or 46.7% of net revenues, compared to $62.2 million, or 47.2% of net revenues, in the prior year. On a non-GAAP basis, consolidated SG&A expense totaled $68.0 million, or 46.2% of net revenues for the current year second quarter, compared to $58.6 million, or 44.5% of net revenues, in the prior year. As expected, Vera Bradley’s current year SG&A expenses were higher than the prior year primarily due to expense reductions related to COVID-19 last year that are no longer applicable.

The Company’s second quarter consolidated operating income totaled $12.6 million, or 8.6% of net revenues, compared to $17.5 million, or 13.3% of net revenues, in the prior year second quarter. On a non-GAAP basis, the Company’s current year consolidated operating income totaled $13.4 million, or 9.1% of net revenues, compared to $21.1 million, or 16.0%, of net revenues, in the prior year.

By segment:

  • Vera Bradley Direct operating income was $23.2 million, or 23.9% of Direct net revenues, for the second quarter, compared to $22.8 million, or 28.1% of Direct net revenues, in the prior year. On a non-GAAP basis, prior year Direct operating income totaled $23.8 million, or 29.3% of Direct revenues.
  • Vera Bradley Indirect operating income was $5.6 million, or 33.3% of Indirect net revenues, for the second quarter, compared to $6.5 million, or 36.5% of Indirect net revenues, in the prior year.
  • Pura Vida’s operating income was $3.2 million, or 9.8% of Pura Vida net revenues, in the current year, compared to $4.4 million, or 13.5% of Pura Vida net revenues, in the prior year. On a non-GAAP basis, Pura Vida’s operating income was $4.0 million, or 12.1% of Pura Vida net revenues, compared to $6.7 million, or 20.5% of Pura Vida net revenues, in the prior year.


Details for the Six Months

Vera Bradley Direct segment revenues for the current year six-month period totaled $163.9 million, a 38.8% increase over $118.1 million in the prior year. Since the Company’s stores were temporarily closed for a portion of the prior year first and second quarters, a comparable store sales calculation is not pertinent.

Vera Bradley Indirect segment revenues for the six months totaled $32.1 million, a 10.8% increase over $29.0 million, reflecting a rebound in specialty and key account orders from the prior year that were negatively impacted by COVID-19, partially offset by a lower volume of mask sales.

Pura Vida segment revenues totaled $60.2 million, an 11.4% increase over $54.0 million in the prior year, reflecting a rebound in wholesale account orders from the prior year that were negatively impacted by COVID-19.

Consolidated gross profit for the six months totaled $139.5 million, or 54.5% of net revenues, compared to $113.8 million, or 56.6% of net revenues, in the prior year. On a non-GAAP basis, prior year gross profit totaled $115.1 million, or 57.3% of net revenues. In the prior year, the Company significantly expanded its consolidated gross profit rate through sales of cotton masks. The current year gross profit rate was negatively affected by higher costs for inbound and outbound freight expense and the previously mentioned GSP issue.

For the six months, consolidated SG&A expense totaled $129.6 million, or 50.6% of net revenues, compared to $121.9 million, or 60.6% of net revenues, in the prior year. On a non-GAAP basis, current year consolidated SG&A expense totaled $128.1 million, or 50.0% of net revenues, compared to $110.2 million, or 54.8% of net revenues, in the prior year. As expected, Vera Bradley’s SG&A current year expenses were higher than the prior year primarily due to expense reductions related to COVID-19 last year that are no longer applicable.

For the six months, the Company’s consolidated operating income totaled $10.7 million, or 4.2% of net revenues, compared to a consolidated operating loss of ($8.1) million, or (4.0%) of net revenues, in the prior year six-month period. On a non-GAAP basis, the Company’s current year consolidated operating income was $12.2 million, or 4.8% or net revenues, compared to $4.9 million, or 2.5% of net revenues, in the prior year.

By segment:

  • Vera Bradley Direct operating income was $34.0 million, or 20.8% of net revenues, compared to $11.9 million, or 10.0% of Direct net revenues, in the prior year. On a non-GAAP basis, prior year Direct operating income was $18.7 million, or 15.8% of Direct net revenues.
  • Vera Bradley Indirect operating income was $10.1 million, or 31.3% of Indirect net revenues, compared to $9.2 million, or 31.9% of Indirect net revenues, in the prior year. On a non-GAAP basis, prior year Indirect operating income totaled $9.6 million, or 33.2% of Indirect net revenues.
  • Pura Vida’s operating income was $5.7 million, or 9.5% of Pura Vida net revenues, for the current year, compared to $3.6 million, or 6.7% of Pura Vida net revenues, in the prior year. On a non-GAAP basis, Pura Vida’s operating income was $7.3 million, or 12.1% of Pura Vida net revenues, for the current year, compared to $8.4 million, or 15.5% of Pura Vida net revenues, for the prior year.


Balance Sheet

Net capital spending for the second quarter and six months totaled $1.8 million and $2.3 million, respectively.

Cash, cash equivalents, and investments as of July 31, 2021 totaled $76.5 million compared to $77.1 million at the end of last year’s second quarter and $65.5 million at last fiscal year end. The Company had no borrowings on its $75 million ABL credit facility at quarter end.

Total quarter-end inventory was $148.0 million, compared to $136.2 million at the end of the second quarter last year. Quarter-end inventory was higher than the prior year primarily due to additional Pura Vida inventory. Management expects year-over-year inventory should be down by approximately 5% by the end of Fiscal 2022.

There were no common stock repurchases during the second quarter of Fiscal 2022. At the end of the second quarter, the Company had approximately $32.9 million remaining under its $50.0 million share repurchase authorization which expires on December 11, 2021.


Forward Outlook

The retail environment continues to be uncertain, and future financial performance is difficult to predict. However, management is providing its estimates for the full year of Fiscal 2022 based on current expectations. Based on the Company’s second quarter performance and certain industry and economic headwinds (such as continued supply chain challenges and substantial projected inbound and outbound freight increases), management is updating its revenue and diluted earnings per share estimates for the fiscal year from its guidance previously provided on June 9, 2021.

All forward-looking guidance numbers referenced below are non-GAAP. The prior year gross profit, SG&A, and earnings per diluted share numbers exclude the previously disclosed net charges related to intangible asset amortization, store impairment charges, Project Novus expenses, cancellation of certain purchase orders related to the pandemic, adjustment to the Pura Vida earn-out liability, and certain department store exit costs related to the pandemic. Current year guidance excludes any similar charges.

For Fiscal 2022, the Company’s updated expectations are as follows:

  • Consolidated net revenues of $550 to $565 million. Net revenues totaled $468.3 million in Fiscal 2021.
  • Free cash flow of between $50 and $55 million compared to $15.0 million in the prior year.
  • A consolidated gross profit percentage of 54.6% to 55.3% compared to 57.0% in Fiscal 2021. The expected rate decline relates to an abatement in mask penetration in Fiscal 2022 coupled with ongoing supply chain challenges and incremental costs for inbound and outbound freight expense. The retroactive reinstatement of GSP is included in the current year gross margin estimate.
  • Consolidated SG&A expense of $260 to $266 million compared to $233.0 million in Fiscal 2021. The expected SG&A increase is primarily related to Vera Bradley stores being opened for the full year (stores were temporarily closed for between several weeks and several months in Fiscal 2021 due to the pandemic), non-comparable compensation and Cares Act savings in Fiscal 2021, and general variable increases associated with higher sales expectations.
  • Consolidated operating income of $40 to $46 million compared to $34.0 million in Fiscal 2021.
  • Consolidated diluted EPS of $0.80 to $0.95 based on diluted weighted-average shares outstanding of 34.6 million and an effective tax rate of approximately 21.0%. Diluted EPS totaled $0.63 last year.
  • Net capital spending of approximately $8 to $10 million compared to $5.7 million in the prior year, reflecting investments associated with new factory locations and technology and logistics enhancements.


Disclosure Regarding Non-GAAP Measures

The Company’s management does not, nor does it suggest that investors should, consider the supplemental non-GAAP financial measures in isolation from, or as a substitute for, financial information prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”). Further, the non-GAAP measures utilized by the Company may be unique to the Company, as they may be different from non-GAAP measures used by other companies.

The Company believes that the non-GAAP measures presented in this earnings release, including free cash flow; gross profit; selling, general, and administrative expenses; operating income; net income; net income attributable and available to Vera Bradley, Inc.; and diluted net income per share available to Vera Bradley, Inc. common shareholders, along with the associated percentages of net revenues, are helpful to investors because they allow for a more direct comparison of the Company’s year-over-year performance and are consistent with management’s evaluation of business performance. A reconciliation of the non-GAAP measures to the most directly comparable GAAP measures can be found in the Company’s supplemental schedules included in this earnings release.


Call Information

A conference call to discuss results for the second quarter is scheduled for today, Wednesday, September 1, 2021, at 9:30 a.m. Eastern Time. A broadcast of the call will be available via Vera Bradley’s Investor Relations section of its website, www.verabradley.com. Alternatively, interested parties may dial into the call at (800) 289-0571, and enter the access code 6656630. A replay will be available shortly after the conclusion of the call and remain available through September 15 , 2021. To access the recording, listeners should dial (844) 512-2921, and enter the access code 6656630.


About Vera Bradley, Inc.

Vera Bradley, Inc. operates two unique lifestyle brands – Vera Bradley and Pura Vida. Vera Bradley and Pura Vida are complementary businesses, both with devoted, emotionally-connected, and multi-generational female customer bases; alignment as causal, comfortable, affordable, and fun brands; positioning as “gifting” and socially-connected brands; strong, entrepreneurial cultures; a keen focus on community, charity, and social consciousness; multi-channel distribution strategies; and talented leadership teams aligned and committed to the long-term success of their brands.

Vera Bradley, based in Fort Wayne, Indiana, is a leading designer of women’s handbags, luggage and other travel items, fashion and home accessories, and unique gifts. Founded in 1982 by friends Barbara Bradley Baekgaard and Patricia R. Miller, the brand is known for its innovative designs, iconic patterns, and brilliant colors that inspire and connect women unlike any other brand in the global marketplace.

In July 2019, Vera Bradley, Inc. acquired a 75% interest in Creative Genius, Inc., which also operates under the name Pura Vida Bracelets (“Pura Vida”). Pura Vida, based in La Jolla, California, is a rapidly growing, digitally native, and highly engaging lifestyle brand founded in 2010 by friends Paul Goodman and Griffin Thall. Pura Vida has a differentiated and expanding offering of bracelets, jewelry, and other lifestyle accessories.

The Company has three reportable segments: Vera Bradley Direct (“VB Direct”), Vera Bradley Indirect (“VB Indirect”), and Pura Vida. The VB Direct business consists of sales of Vera Bradley products through Vera Bradley full-line and factory outlet stores in the United States, verabradley.com, the Vera Bradley online outlet site, and the Vera Bradley annual outlet sale in Fort Wayne, Indiana. The VB Indirect business consists of sales of Vera Bradley products to approximately 2,000 specialty retail locations throughout the United States, as well as select department stores, national accounts, third party e-commerce sites, and third-party inventory liquidators, and royalties recognized through licensing agreements related to the Vera Bradley brand. The Pura Vida segment consists of sales of Pura Vida products through the Pura Vida websites, www.puravidabracelets.com, www.puravidabracelets.eu, and www.puravidabracelets.ca, and through the distribution of its products to wholesale retailers.


Website Information

We routinely post important information for investors on our website www.verabradley.com in the “Investor Relations” section. We intend to use this webpage as a means of disclosing material, non-public information and for complying with our disclosure obligations under Regulation FD. Accordingly, investors should monitor the Investor Relations section of our website, in addition to following our press releases, SEC filings, public conference calls, presentations and webcasts. The information contained on, or that may be accessed through, our webpage is not incorporated by reference into, and is not a part of, this document.

Investors and other interested parties may also access the Company’s most recent Corporate Responsibility and Sustainability Report outlining its ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) initiatives at https://verabradley.com/pages/corporate-responsibility.


Vera Bradley Safe Harbor Statement

Certain statements in this release are “forward-looking statements” made pursuant to the safe-harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements reflect the Company’s current expectations or beliefs concerning future events and are subject to various risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from those that we expected, including: possible adverse changes in general economic conditions and their impact on consumer confidence and spending; possible inability to predict and respond in a timely manner to changes in consumer demand; possible loss of key management or design associates or inability to attract and retain the talent required for our business; possible inability to maintain and enhance our brands; possible inability to successfully implement the Company’s long-term strategic plan; possible inability to successfully open new stores, close targeted stores, and/or operate current stores as planned; incremental tariffs or adverse changes in the cost of raw materials and labor used to manufacture our products; possible adverse effects resulting from a significant disruption in our distribution facilities; or business disruption caused by COVID-19 or other pandemics. Risks, uncertainties, and assumptions also include the possibility that Pura Vida acquisition benefits may not materialize as expected; that Pura Vida’s business may not perform as expected; and that the Company is unable to successfully implement integration strategies related to the acquisition. More information on potential factors that could affect the Company’s financial results is included from time to time in the “Risk Factors” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” sections of the Company’s public reports filed with the SEC, including the Company’s Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 30, 2021. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement. Financial schedules are attached to this release.

CONTACTS:
Investors:
Julia Bentley, VP of Investor Relations and Communications
[email protected]
(260) 207-5116

Media:
[email protected]
877-708-VERA (8372)

Vera Bradley, Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
(in thousands)
(unaudited)
           
  July 31,

2021
  January 30,

2021
  August 1,

2020
Assets          
Current assets:          
Cash and cash equivalents $ 75,753     $ 64,175     $ 75,568  
Short-term investments   727       1,295       818  
Accounts receivable, net   29,897       27,543       28,306  
Inventories   148,048       141,416       136,219  
Income taxes receivable   6,289       7,372       5,326  
Prepaid expenses and other current assets   15,627       17,882       14,742  
Total current assets   276,341       259,683       260,979  
           
Operating right-of-use assets   86,617       88,730       104,412  
Property, plant, and equipment, net   62,350       63,952       67,978  
Intangible assets, net   45,759       47,296       51,591  
Goodwill   44,254       44,254       44,254  
Long-term investments               729  
Deferred income taxes   3,294       3,530       5,896  
Other assets   6,444       6,342       6,245  
Total assets $ 525,059     $ 513,787     $ 542,084  
           
Liabilities, Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest, and Shareholders’ Equity          
Current liabilities:          
Accounts payable $ 30,247     $ 27,093     $ 26,994  
Accrued employment costs   15,465       13,648       11,028  
Short-term operating lease liabilities   20,584       22,321       25,504  
Other accrued liabilities   17,522       14,043       18,511  
Income taxes payable         321       203  
Total current liabilities   83,818       77,426       82,240  
           
Long-term operating lease liabilities   87,984       91,536       105,163  
Long-term debt               30,000  
Other long-term liabilities   71       109       1,253  
Total liabilities   171,873       169,071       218,656  
           
Redeemable noncontrolling interest   30,364       29,809       29,654  
Shareholders’ equity:          
Additional paid-in-capital   106,455       105,433       101,112  
Retained earnings   323,431       316,526       299,724  
Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income   (4 )     8       (2 )
Treasury stock   (107,060 )     (107,060 )     (107,060 )
Total shareholders’ equity of Vera Bradley, Inc.   322,822       314,907       293,774  
Total liabilities, redeemable noncontrolling interest, and shareholders’ equity $ 525,059     $ 513,787     $ 542,084  

Vera Bradley, Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations
(in thousands, except per share amounts)
(unaudited)
               
               
  Thirteen Weeks Ended   Twenty-Six Weeks Ended
  July 31,

2021
  August 1,

2020
  July 31,

2021
  August 1,

2020
               
Net revenues $ 147,048   $ 131,770   $ 256,142   $ 201,054  
Cost of sales   66,687     52,149     116,617     87,245  
Gross profit   80,361     79,621     139,525     113,809  
Selling, general, and administrative expenses   68,729     62,155     129,625     121,937  
Other income, net   1,016     33     789     53  
Operating income (loss)   12,648     17,499     10,689     (8,075 )
Interest expense, net   119     485     209     557  
Income (loss) before income taxes   12,529     17,014     10,480     (8,632 )
Income tax expense (benefit)   2,672     8,687     2,141     (1,422 )
Net income (loss)   9,857     8,327     8,339     (7,210 )
Less: Net income attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interest   807     1,111     1,434     911  
Net income (loss) attributable to Vera Bradley, Inc. $ 9,050   $ 7,216   $ 6,905   $ (8,121 )
               
Basic weighted-average shares outstanding   34,001     33,403     33,795     33,367  
Diluted weighted-average shares outstanding   34,500     33,693     34,502     33,367  
               
Basic net income (loss) per share available to Vera Bradley, Inc. common shareholders $ 0.27   $ 0.42   $ 0.20   $ (0.24 )
Diluted net income (loss) per share available to Vera Bradley, Inc. common shareholders $ 0.26   $ 0.42   $ 0.20   $ (0.24 )
               
Reconciliation of net income (loss) available to Vera Bradley, Inc. common shareholders              
Net income (loss) attributable to Vera Bradley, Inc. $ 9,050   $ 7,216   $ 6,905   $ (8,121 )
Excess portion of redeemable noncontrolling interest redemption value adjustment       6,800          
Net income (loss) available to Vera Bradley, Inc. common shareholders $ 9,050   $ 14,016   $ 6,905   $ (8,121 )
               

Vera Bradley, Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(in thousands)
(unaudited)
       
       
  Twenty-Six Weeks Ended
  July 31,

2021
  August 1,

2020
Cash flows from operating activities      
Net income (loss) $ 8,339     $ (7,210 )
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:      
Depreciation of property, plant, and equipment   4,514       8,380  
Amortization of operating right-of-use assets   10,026       10,843  
Impairment charges         3,806  
Amortization of intangible assets   1,537       4,714  
Provision for doubtful accounts   26       1,622  
Stock-based compensation   3,372       1,310  
Deferred income taxes   236       1,760  
Loss on investments         13  
Adjustment of earn-out liability         229  
Other non-cash gain, net   (45 )     (22 )
Changes in assets and liabilities:      
Accounts receivable   (2,380 )     (6,631 )
Inventories   (6,632 )     (12,613 )
Prepaid expenses and other assets   2,153       (4,703 )
Accounts payable   2,696       7,070  
Income taxes   762       (6,193 )
Operating lease liabilities, net   (13,202 )     (7,726 )
Accrued and other liabilities   5,085       5,274  
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities   16,487       (77 )
       
Cash flows from investing activities      
Purchases of property, plant, and equipment   (2,281 )     (4,272 )
Purchases of investments         (851 )
Proceeds from maturities and sales of investments   565       23,031  
Cash received for business acquisition         993  
Proceeds from disposal of property, plant, and equipment   45        
Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities   (1,671 )     18,901  
       
Cash flows from financing activities      
Tax withholdings for equity compensation   (2,350 )     (555 )
Repurchase of common stock         (3,077 )
Distributions to redeemable noncontrolling interest   (879 )     (875 )
Borrowings under asset-based revolving credit agreement         60,000  
Repayment of borrowings under asset-based revolving credit agreement         (30,000 )
Payment of contingent consideration for business acquisition         (18,677 )
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities   (3,229 )     6,816  
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents   (9 )     11  
       
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents $ 11,578     $ 25,651  
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period   64,175       49,917  
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period $ 75,753     $ 75,568  
       

Vera Bradley, Inc.
Second Quarter Fiscal 2022
GAAP to Non-GAAP Reconciliation Thirteen Weeks Ended July 31, 2021
(in thousands, except per share amounts)
(unaudited)
  Thirteen Weeks Ended
  As Reported   Other Items   Non-GAAP

(Excluding Items)
Gross profit $ 80,361     $     $ 80,361  
Selling, general, and administrative expenses   68,729       768   1   67,961  
Operating income (loss)   12,648       (768 )     13,416  
Income (loss) before income taxes   12,529       (768 )     13,297  
Income tax expense (benefit)   2,672       (130 )     2,802  
Net income (loss)   9,857       (638 )     10,495  
Less: Net income (loss) attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interest   807       (192 )     999  
Net income (loss) attributable to Vera Bradley, Inc.   9,050       (446 )     9,496  
Diluted net income (loss) per share available to Vera Bradley, Inc. common shareholders $ 0.26     $ (0.01 )   $ 0.28  
           
Vera Bradley Direct segment operating income $ 23,168     $     $ 23,168  
Vera Bradley Indirect segment operating income $ 5,601     $     $ 5,601  
Pura Vida segment operating income (loss) $ 3,226     $ (768 ) 1 $ 3,994  
Unallocated corporate expenses $ (19,347 )   $     $ (19,347 )
           
1Includes the amortization of definite-lived intangible assets
           

Vera Bradley, Inc.
Second Quarter Fiscal 2021
GAAP to Non-GAAP Reconciliation Thirteen Weeks Ended August 1, 2020
(in thousands, except per share amounts)
(unaudited)
  Thirteen Weeks Ended
  As Reported   Redemption Value

Adjustment6
  Other Items   Non-GAAP

(Excluding Items)
Gross profit $ 79,621     $   $     $ 79,621  
Selling, general, and administrative expenses   62,155           3,552   1   58,603  
Operating income (loss)   17,499           (3,552 )     21,051  
Income (loss) before income taxes   17,014           (3,552 )     20,566  
Income tax expense   8,687           677   2   8,010  
Net income (loss)   8,327           (4,229 )     12,556  
Less: Net income (loss) attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interest   1,111           (568 )     1,679  
Net income (loss) attributable to Vera Bradley, Inc.   7,216           (3,661 )     10,877  
Diluted net income (loss) per share available to Vera Bradley, Inc. common shareholders $ 0.42     $ 0.20   $ (0.11 )   $ 0.32  
               
Vera Bradley Direct segment operating income (loss) $ 22,822     $   $ (970 ) 3 $ 23,792  
Vera Bradley Indirect segment operating income $ 6,477     $   $     $ 6,477  
Pura Vida segment operating income (loss) $ 4,445     $   $ (2,274 ) 4 $ 6,719  
Unallocated corporate expenses $ (16,245 )   $   $ (308 ) 5 $ (15,937 )
               
1Items include $2,274 for the amortization of definite-lived intangible assets and $1,278 for technology-related re-platforming charges including certain professional fees and accelerated depreciation
2Related to the tax impact of the charges mentioned above, along with a change in estimate related to the first quarter other items
3Related to $970 for technology re-platforming charges
4Related to the amortization of definite-lived intangible assets
5Related to $308 for technology re-platforming charges
6Related to a $6.8 million increase in the income available to Vera Bradley, Inc. common shareholders associated with the excess portion of the ASC 480 adjustment for the redeemable noncontrolling interest of Pura Vida;
this adjustment impacts the Company’s net income per share calculations only
               

Vera Bradley, Inc.
GAAP to Non-GAAP Reconciliation Twenty-Six Weeks Ended July 31, 2021
(in thousands, except per share amounts)
(unaudited)
  Twenty-Six Weeks Ended
  As Reported   Other Items   Non-GAAP

(Excluding Items)
Gross profit $ 139,525     $     $ 139,525  
Selling, general, and administrative expenses   129,625       1,537   1   128,088  
Operating income (loss)   10,689       (1,537 )     12,226  
Income (loss) before income taxes   10,480       (1,537 )     12,017  
Income tax expense (benefit)   2,141       (293 )     2,434  
Net income (loss)   8,339       (1,244 )     9,583  
Less: Net income (loss) attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interest   1,434       (384 )     1,818  
Net income (loss) attributable to Vera Bradley, Inc.   6,905       (860 )     7,765  
Diluted net income (loss) per share available to Vera Bradley, Inc. common shareholders $ 0.20     $ (0.02 )   $ 0.23  
           
Vera Bradley Direct segment operating income $ 34,028     $     $ 34,028  
Vera Bradley Indirect segment operating income $ 10,062     $     $ 10,062  
Pura Vida segment operating income (loss) $ 5,734     $ (1,537 ) 1 $ 7,271  
Unallocated corporate expenses $ (39,135 )   $     $ (39,135 )
           
1Includes the amortization of definite-lived intangible assets
           

Vera Bradley, Inc.
GAAP to Non-GAAP Reconciliation Twenty-Six Weeks Ended August 1, 2020
(in thousands, except per share amounts)
(unaudited)
  Twenty-Six Weeks Ended
  As Reported   Other Items   Non-GAAP

(Excluding Items)
Gross profit (loss) $ 113,809     $ (1,320 ) 1 $ 115,129  
Selling, general, and administrative expenses   121,937       11,700   2   110,237  
Operating (loss) income   (8,075 )     (13,020 )     4,945  
(Loss) income before income taxes   (8,632 )     (13,020 )     4,388  
Income tax (benefit) expense   (1,422 )     (3,053 ) 3   1,631  
Net (loss) income   (7,210 )     (9,967 )     2,757  
Less: Net income (loss) attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interest   911       (1,178 )     2,089  
Net (loss) income attributable to Vera Bradley, Inc.   (8,121 )     (8,789 )     668  
Diluted net (loss) income per share available to Vera Bradley, Inc. common shareholders $ (0.24 )   $ (0.26 )   $ 0.02  
           
Vera Bradley Direct segment operating income (loss) $ 11,857     $ (6,842 ) 4 $ 18,699  
Vera Bradley Indirect segment operating income (loss) $ 9,233     $ (387 ) 5 $ 9,620  
Pura Vida segment operating income (loss) $ 3,644     $ (4,714 ) 6 $ 8,358  
Unallocated corporate expenses $ (32,809 )   $ (1,077 ) 7 $ (31,732 )
           
1Related to charges for the cancellation of certain purchase orders as a result of COVID-19
2Items include $4,714 for the amortization of definite-lived intangible assets; $3,806 for store impairment charges; $2,738 for technology-related re-platforming charges including certain professional fees and accelerated depreciation; $229 for an adjustment upon payment of the earn-out liability; and $213 in certain department store exit costs as a result of COVID-19
3Related to the tax impact of the charges mentioned above
4Related to $3,806 for impairment charges; $1,146 for an allocation of charges for the cancellation of purchase orders; and $1,890 for technology re-platforming charges
5Related to $213 in certain department store exit costs and $174 for an allocation of charges for the cancellation of purchase orders
6Related to the amortization of definite-lived intangible assets
7Related to $848 for technology re-platforming charges and $229 for an adjustment upon payment of the earn-out liability
           



Longeveron to Present at H.C. Wainwright 23rd Annual Global Investor Conference

MIAMI, Sept. 01, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Longeveron Inc. (NASDAQ: LGVN) (“Longeveron” or “Company”), a clinical stage biotechnology company developing cellular therapies for chronic, aging-related and life-threatening conditions, announced today that management will present virtually at the H.C. Wainwright 23rd Annual Global Investor Conference.

The corporate presentation will be available for on-demand viewing beginning September 13, 2021 at 7:00 a.m. EDT via the Investors & Media section of the Company website. An archived replay of the webcast will be available on the website for approximately 90 days following the presentation.

About Longeveron Inc.

Longeveron is a clinical stage biotechnology company developing cellular therapies for specific aging-related and life-threatening conditions. The Company’s lead investigational product is the LOMECEL-B™ cell-based therapy product (“Lomecel-B”), which is derived from culture-expanded medicinal signaling cells (MSCs) that are sourced from bone marrow of young, healthy adult donors. Longeveron believes that by using the same cells that promote tissue repair, organ maintenance, and immune system function, it can develop safe and effective therapies for some of the most difficult disorders associated with the aging process and other medical disorders. Longeveron is currently sponsoring Phase 1 and 2 clinical trials in the following indications: Aging Frailty, Alzheimer’s disease, the Metabolic Syndrome, Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS), and hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS). The Company’s mission is to advance Lomecel-B and other cell-based product candidates into pivotal Phase 3 trials, with the goal of achieving regulatory approvals, subsequent commercialization and broad use by the healthcare community. Additional information about the Company is available at www.longeveron.com.

Investor Contact:

Brendan Payne
Stern Investor Relations
Office Direct: 212-698-8695 |Office Main: 212-362-1200
[email protected] | www.sternir.com

Source: Longeveron Inc

Source: LGVN